Wow! Where/in what way did the boiler fail due to low water? The top of my glass is now slightly above the top of the barrel, but I have a tall dome so no worries about priming if I really overfill it.

Wow! Where/in what way did the boiler fail due to low water? The top of my glass is now slightly above the top of the barrel, but I have a tall dome so no worries about priming if I really overfill it.

You’ll find from experience what water level causes priming. Even if the level is below the dome, the rapid boiling can cause water to carry over into the dry pipe.
If the boiler has rolled-in copper tubes, a low-water situation usually causes the top row of tubes to begin leaking.

Sounds good. Believe me I know it's ugly and I'm guessing the length of top piping is causing issue. The first few go around with rigid piping were a flop. Just ordered some more stuff from pm research and mc master